Merck EVP exercises RSUs, nets 698 new shares
Merck & Co., Inc. executive David Michael Williams reported routine equity compensation activity involving restricted stock units and related tax withholding.
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Merck & Co., Inc. executive David Michael Williams reported routine equity compensation activity involving restricted stock units and related tax withholding. He exercised 1,377 restricted stock units into the same number of common shares at a stated value of $110.03 per share and 679 common shares were disposed of to cover tax obligations.
Following these transactions, he directly held 31,716.037 shares of Merck common stock. He also held 2,755 restricted stock units, each representing a contingent right to receive one Merck common share, which are scheduled to vest and be distributed in three equal installments on April 29, 2026, April 29, 2027 and April 29, 2028. Holdings include shares acquired through dividend reinvestment.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insider Trade Summary
1,377 shares exercised/converted
Exercise
3 txns
Insider
Williams David Michael
Role
EVP,Chief Info&Digital Officer
| Type | Security | Shares | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Restricted Stock Unit | 1,377 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Exercise | Common Stock | 1,377 | $110.03 | $152K |
| Exercise Price or Tax Liability | Common Stock | 679 | $110.03 | $75K |
Holdings After Transaction:
Restricted Stock Unit — 2,755 contracts (Direct);
Common Stock — 31,716.037 shares (Direct)
Footnotes (3)
- F1. Holdings include shares acquired in dividend reinvestment transactions.
- F2. Each restricted stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock.
- F3. These restricted stock units vest and are distributed as shares of Merck & Co., Inc. common stock in three equal installments on 4/29/2026, 4/29/2027 and 4/29/2028.
Key Figures
RSUs exercised: 1,377 shares
Tax-withholding shares: 679 shares
Common shares held: 31,716.037 shares
+2 more
5 metrics
RSUs exercised
1,377 shares
Restricted stock units converted to Merck common stock on April 29, 2026
Tax-withholding shares
679 shares
Common shares disposed to cover tax obligations at $110.03 per share
Common shares held
31,716.037 shares
Direct Merck common stock holdings after reported transactions
RSUs outstanding
2,755 units
Restricted stock units remaining after the exercise, each for one common share
Referenced share price
$110.03 per share
Price used for both RSU exercise and tax-withholding disposition
Key Terms
Restricted Stock Unit, tax-withholding disposition, derivative exercise/conversion, dividend reinvestment transactions, +1 more
5 terms
Restricted Stock Unit financial
"security_title: "Restricted Stock Unit" and footnote defining each unit as a contingent right"
A restricted stock unit is a promise from a company to give an employee shares of stock after certain conditions are met, like staying with the company for a set amount of time. It’s like earning a bonus that turns into company stock once you’ve proven your commitment, making it a way to motivate and reward employees.
tax-withholding disposition financial
"transaction_action: "tax-withholding disposition" for the 679-share transaction coded F"
A tax-withholding disposition is an event or transaction—such as selling or transferring securities, exercising options, or receiving compensation—that triggers a requirement to hold back part of the payment and remit it to tax authorities. It matters to investors because it reduces the cash they receive immediately and can change the timing and amount of taxable income, like a cashier taking a portion of your sale proceeds to pay taxes before you get the rest.
derivative exercise/conversion financial
"transaction_action: "derivative exercise/conversion" for transactions coded M"
dividend reinvestment transactions financial
"footnote: "Holdings include shares acquired in dividend reinvestment transactions.""
derivative security financial
"transaction_code_description: "Exercise or conversion of derivative security""
A derivative security is a financial contract whose value comes from the price or performance of something else, such as a stock, bond, commodity, or market index. For investors it acts like an insurance policy or a wager: it can be used to protect against losses, lock in prices, or amplify gains and losses, so it can change a portfolio’s risk and potential return without owning the underlying asset directly.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What insider transactions did Merck (MRK) EVP David Michael Williams report?
David Michael Williams reported exercising 1,377 restricted stock units into Merck common shares and a related tax-withholding disposition of 679 common shares, all dated 29 April 2026, as part of routine equity compensation activity rather than open-market buying or selling.
What restricted stock unit (RSU) position does the Merck (MRK) EVP retain?
He retains 2,755 restricted stock units, each representing a contingent right to receive one Merck common share. These RSUs are scheduled to vest and be distributed in three equal installments on April 29, 2026, April 29, 2027, and April 29, 2028, subject to applicable conditions.
How was tax handled in David Michael Williams’s Merck (MRK) equity transaction?
The filing shows a tax-withholding disposition of 679 Merck common shares, coded “F,” valued at $110.03 per share. This indicates shares were withheld or delivered to satisfy tax obligations tied to the restricted stock unit exercise, not an open-market sale decision.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
